Parker River Bird Banding, October 5th, 2008
September 29, 2008
When: Sunday, October 5th , 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.Where: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Notes: The program is free. The program is for ages 8 and Older
In order to track birds, scientists band them with silver bracelets and release them back into the wild.
If you are curious about bird banding s performed and what is involved in the process, visit the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, October 5th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m and you can see how bird banding is conducted on the refuge.
Mass Audubon operates a seasonal bird banding station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. On Sunday, October 5th, you can Join refuge volunteer Sue McGrath on a visit to the bird banding station and witness how birds being banded and see this important research in action.
Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the outdoors.
Meet at the sub-headquarters parking lot.
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Wednesday Morning Birding, September 24th
September 21, 2008
When: Wednesday, September 24th, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pmWhere: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Cost: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $15 for nonmembers
The Mass Audubon Society’s Joppa Flats Education Center offers a Wednesday Morning Birding program from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If you’re one of the lucky ones that has time available during the week, join Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. It’s a great way to observe birds in the area and identify some of the better locations for finding them when on your own.
To participate in the birding field trip, meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport.
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Bird Banding Workshop at Joppa Flats Education Center, September 18th and 20th
September 9, 2008
When: Thursday, September 18th , 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 20th, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon)Where: Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Cost: $50 for Mass Audubon members; $60 for non-members
Would you like to learn the basics of bird banding and train to become a volunteer at the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on Plum Island? If you do, Mass Audubon is offering a two-session bird banding workshop at its Joppa Flats Education Center on Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport.
The first session is a classroom session on Thursday, September 18th , from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The second session is a Saturday morning field trip on Saturday, September 20th, from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
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Labor Day Bird Watching For Beginners at Joppa Flats Education Center
August 25, 2008
When: Monday, September 1, 2008: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.mWhere: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Cost: Pre-registration fee of $5 for Mass Audubon members: $7 for non-members.
Minimum age: 8 years. A parent or guardian must accompany children.
What’s That Bird? Birdwatching For Beginners.
On Labor Day, Monday, September 1, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center is offering special birdwatching trips for entry-level bird watchers. It happens to everyone. Something feathered flies by, shows up at your feeder, or lands by your beach towel, and suddenly it hits you: What is that bird?
You’re invited to ask that question and all the others you have about our avian friends on this guided trip around one of the best locations for seeing birds in New England.
This program is especially good for people who have little to no experience identifying birds, but everyone is welcome.
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Birding For Breast Cancer Fundraiser At Plum Island, August 24th
August 22, 2008
Where: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island
Cost: A $30 donation is requested.
If you want to help support breast cancer reserach and also get in a few hours of morning birdwatching on Plum Island, then make plans to attend “Birding for Breast Cancer” a fundraiser in memory of Nancy McGrath-Kelleher, the sister of Sue McGrath of Newburyport Birders.
This fund raising event is scheduled for this Sunday, August 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island.
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Saw-whet Owl Lands On Fishing Boat 32 miles Off Hampton Beach
August 19, 2008
Annie Hamilton on SeacoastOnline.com reports that a saw-whet owl, the smallest of the owls in the owl family, landed on a fishing boat approximately 32 miles offshore of Hampton Beach, NH.
The owl, which was apparently blown off course, flew around the boat a few times before flying into the cabin and making itself comfortable at the helm, looking out the front window. Animal Control Officer Peter MacKinnon said the small bird looked like a mast head in the front of the boat.
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Great Marsh Designated As Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) Regional Site of Significance
August 17, 2008
On Tuesday, August 19th, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate the dedication of the Great Marsh as a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) regional site of significance, as well as the dedication of the Refuge Headquarters bridge completion.
In Massachusetts, the North Shore’s Great Marsh is the largest continuous stretch of Salt Marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The unique complex of natural systems add ecological, economic, recreational, and cultural value to our daily lives both on the coast and inland where land is connected by river and stream networks.
The Great Marsh is the largest salt marsh in New England and includes over 20,000 acres of marsh, barrier beach, tidal river, estuary, mudflat, and upland islands extending across the Massachusetts North Shore, from Gloucester to Salisbury.
In recognition of these extraordinary resources, a portion of this area was designated by the state in 1979 as the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Great Marsh is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) because it contributes to the preservation of many breeding and migratory birds.
With its network of waterways, beaches, parks, and wildlife refuges, the Great Marsh is an outstanding destination to enjoy boating, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and beach activities throughout the cities and towns of Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury.
Thursday Evening Birding At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
August 10, 2008
When: Thursday, August 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., for ages 8 and olderWhere: Meet at Parking Lot #1of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Accompany refuge volunteer Sue McGrath for a guided bird walk exploring this important bird area.
We’ll discuss the birds and see a variety of birds that nest on the refuge. Interpretive materials are provided. All skill levels are welcome, including children age 8 and older accompanied by an adult.
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, walking shoes. Meet at the refuge at the parking lot 1.
All programs are free. But space is limited, and advanced registration is required unless otherwise indicated. Call 978-465-5753 to register. Registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from a staff member. Note that outdoor programs may be canceled if there is inclement weather. Visit the Web for more information, visit the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge website.
“All Wings Considered,” Newburyport Birders, August 23 and 30
August 8, 2008
Where: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport. Meet at the observation deck next to the Visitor’s Information Center at Parking Lot #1
Cost: $30 each Saturday program or $50 for both
Newburyport Birders is offering ”All Wings Considered,” a natural history program on Saturdays, August 23 and 30, from7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport.
The program will explore the various habitats at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge during these longer, interpretative programs. Sue McGrath will focus on field marks, where these birds have been and where they are migrating to and behavior at this premier birding destination. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are suggested.
This program requires advance registration. Contact Sue McGrath at 978-462-4785 or newburyportbirders@comcast.net or visit the Newburyport Birders website for more information.
NH Seacoast Piping Plover Update - Numbers Still Low
July 13, 2008
In the article, Brendan Clifford, a biological technician with New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, reported that there has been a slow decline in the number of piping plovers nesting in New Hampshire over the past five to ten years though that is not indicative of the entire Atlantic coast population.
Mr. Clifford said that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to see at least 2,000 breeding pair of piping plovers along the Atlantic coast. Currently there are approximately 1,600 pairs of piping plovers from Nova Scotia to Virginia and the Carolinas.
This summer four piping plover chicks hatched at Hampton Beach and three fledged before July 4. Seabrook Beach had two nests. The first nest had three chicks that disappeared after hatching on June 25. There are currently three remaining chicks out of the four that hatched from the second nest on Seabrook Beach on June 30. It takes approximately 30 days for the chicks to fledge and then be able to survive on their own.
For more information, see the following article by Ms. Morse:
Situated on the ocean, Newburyport holds a host of opportunity for the visitor. But instead of traditional hotels, consider Massachusetts timeshares. Resorts offer sumptuous ensuite appointments and amenities not available in hotels. Rent timeshare for an unforgettable vacation experience.
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